Jumper Classic, Founded in Hamilton, Will Return to North Shore

The Jumper Classic plans to return to its North Shore roots this July after a five-year stint in seacoast New Hampshire.

The Jumper Classic, a horse show that the late Don Little started in Hamilton 24 years ago, is returning to the North Shore in Ipswich this summer. "He created this 24 years ago," said Melissa Lovasco, the event's president and CEO, and she took over in its 10 years. Five years ago it moved to Hampton Falls, N.H. and in 2010 Little started a second show that has been held at Myopia Hunt Club. That show will not happen this year. This week organizers of the Jumper Classic said the 2013 show will happen on at the 100-acre Maplecroft Farm in Ipswich from July 10-14. Competition will range from children's classes to the $75,000 Grand Prix. The new date should help open the event to a larger number of young jumper who will be in school break in…

• Photos (1)

Tell Me Something Good

Donald V. Little Grand Prix to be Part of Myopia's Equestrian Classic

Named one of the top 25 horse shows in the nation by North American Riders Group, the Boston Equestrian Classic blazes on despite the loss of its founder, Donald Little.

You can’t keep a good man down. And if that man creates something good, you can’t keep that down either. The proof is in the Boston Equestrian Classic. Don Little may have gone on to greener pastures but the show - his show - goes on. Little died on Feb. 29 at age 77 from injuries sustained after an accident while competing in the Masters Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. This year’s first competitors at the Equestrian Classic will warm up their mounts in the early morning of Thursday, Sept. 6 and as afternoon shadows lengthen on Sunday, Sept. 9 Grand Prix riders will be packing their saddles for home. Over $110,000 of prize money will leave in the pockets of the event’s winners. “(It’s) business as usual,” said…

• Photos (2)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 16

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Friday, March 16. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Rain: Friday will be a cloudy day with some showers around. Temperatures will get into the upper 40s. 2. Crane Beach: If you are planning to spend a lot of time at Crane Beach in Ipswich this summer, Friday is your last chance to save some money on a season parking pass. In addition to the $50 fee, you also need to be a member of the Trustees of the Reservations through June. Depending on the level of your Trustees membership, you may be eligible for more than one pass at the special, early bird rate. The regular price is $75. 3. Don Little: The life of Don Little, the man who brought world class showjumping to Hamilton and was an important figure at Myopia Hunt Club, …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 8

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Thursday, March 8. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Record? There’s a possibility we could break a temperature record on Thursday with high temperatures forecasted to get into the mid-60s. Also expect a windy day, with gusts as high as 40 miles per hour. 2. Two Public Hearings: Have something to say about the planned redevelopment at the Mullen property or the fiscal 2013 school budget? You’ll have a chance to have your voice heard on Thursday night on both issues. A public hearing on the proposed school budget will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Buker Elementary School. The Wenham Planning Board is holding a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s zoning laws needed to allow the Mullen development. It begins at 7:30 p.m…

• Photos (1)

Myopia's Master of the Foxhounds, Little, Dies From Fall Injuries

Donald V. Little Sr., a man synonymous with Myopia Hunt Club for years, died on Wednesday from injuries he suffered while jumping in competition on Sunday in Florida.

Donald V. Little, the Master of the Foxhounds at Myopia Hunt Club who made a name for himself in the equestrian world here in Hamilton and across the country, died on Wednesday afternoon. Little was seriously injured on Sunday when he fell off his horse during the $10,000 Masters Jumper Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. An announcement of Little’s death was made in a press release issued on Wednesday afternoon by Equestrian Sports Productions, the Winter Equestrian Festival's producer. "I will miss him so much,” said Little’s wife of 57 years, Judith A. Little, in Wednesday’s statement. “Donald died doing what he loved. He was loved and respected by so many people, including his fellow competitors, partners and …

• Photos (1)

Myopia's Master of Foxhounds Seriously Injured in Show Jumping Accident

Donald Little suffered a serious injury in a show jumping accident in Florida on Sunday.

Donald Little, Master of the Foxhounds at Myopia Hunt Club, suffered a serious neck injury in a show-jumping accident in Florida on Sunday, the Daily Form reported on Monday. Little, beyond his position at Myopia, is the founder and president of the Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic, which has been put on at the Myopia Scooling fields for the past two summers. It its first year it was known as the Putnam Investments Boston Jumper Classic and was run in conjuction with the Myopia Horse Show. Daily Racing Form reported on Monday that the accident occurred at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. The “bible of thoroughbred racing” reported that the injury was serious but offered few other details. The Racing Form said the injury …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)